ASSINIBOIA - I’m happy to announce the return of the Rocket Report after a several-year hiatus. I am a Grade 10 student at Assiniboia Composite High School, and I will be reporting on the extra-curricular news and events at the school.
This past month has been busy with the basketball team events. A big congratulations to the bantam girls’ team for taking gold in their district finals on home court this month!
The boy’s season ended last weekend in Moose Jaw where they came up short against Riverview during their conference game. The team has five seniors this year and their coach, Ms. O’Byrne, mentioned how she hopes the boys learned a great deal during their time on the team. “I hope the seniors learned perseverance and how to work through tough times.”
She also commented on how she is excited for what next year will bring and is ready to see what the next group of Grade 9’s will bring to the team next season.
The senior girls’ team headed to Lanigan over the weekend and ended their season with a win against Rosthern. The team has 11 seniors graduating this year and the co-captains Khanesia Warken and Sophie Simonsen reflected on what they would miss about the team after the game. “I’m going to miss the bus rides with all the laughs and the jokes the most,” said Sophie.
“I’m going to miss practices and goofing around,” said Khanesia. “My advice for the next group of girls is that you get out of the program everything that you put in and it’s an investment and you have to work hard to see the results.” Sophie said, “Have fun, it’s just a game.” Both captains agreed that the one thing they learned throughout the season was how to be a leader and to trust their instincts and gut feelings.
Sadly, this is the last year for Assiniboia’s longtime girls’ basketball coach, Mr. Al Wandler. He has coached basketball at the high school for 25 years and during those years he started the Pink Games which take place annually and has inspired multiple schools across Saskatchewan to start and participate in similar fundraising events.
Mr. Wandler said that he wants the senior girls to remember “That they can do hard things” when they go on to university. The captains of the senior girls’ team both agreed that Mr. Wandler’s dedication to the team and the basketball program will be missed, and he will leave behind big shoes to fill.
Coming up in the following weeks are numerous badminton events. The first tournament for the senior team will be held on March 23 at ACHS and the junior badminton team will play on March 27 in Moose Jaw at Peacock Collegiate.
The drama club is well underway preparing for their production of Alice in Wonderland, scheduled to take place in May.
Stay tuned for updates on badminton, drama, and track and field programs that are yet to come this school year.
